SpaceX Marks 700th Falcon Launch with Telecom Trio
SpaceX's Falcon 9 achieves its 700th launch, ESA's Vega C readies for dual mission, and Mercury's tectonic history is re-evaluated.
| Active satellites | 18,105 |
| Starlink active | 9,839 |
| Catalogued objects | 29,427 |
| Predicted re-entries | 24 |
| Active close approaches | 20 |
| People in space | 1,120,260,914,022,348.2 |
SpaceX has successfully launched three telecommunications satellites into orbit, marking the 700th mission for its Falcon 9 rocket. This milestone was achieved with a flawless launch from Cape Canaveral, further cementing SpaceX's dominance in the commercial launch sector. As of 14 September 2026, 9,839 Starlink satellites were operational, according to Orbital Radar tracking data.
ESA's Vega C Prepares for Launch
The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch the Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions aboard a Vega C rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. Scheduled for later this week, these missions aim to enhance Earth observation capabilities, focusing on ocean monitoring and fluorescence measurements, respectively. The Orbital Radar launch schedule provides details on upcoming missions.
Mercury's Tectonic Mysteries
Recent studies suggest that Mercury's tectonic activity may have been more extensive than previously thought. Masked tectonic structures indicate the planet contracted 40% more than visible scars suggest. This discovery could reshape our understanding of Mercury's geological history and its thermal evolution.
What to Watch
In addition to the ESA's Vega C launch, space enthusiasts should keep an eye on the ongoing analysis of close approaches in orbit. Notably, debris from FENGYUN 1C and CZ-6A came within 1.65 km of each other. For those tracking satellite movements, the Orbital Radar Debris Map offers real-time updates on potential collisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of SpaceX's 700th Falcon launch?
What are the Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions?
📎 Cite this article · data available
Orbital Radar Newsroom. (2026). SpaceX Marks 700th Falcon Launch with Telecom Trio. Orbital Radar. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-09-14"SpaceX Marks 700th Falcon Launch with Telecom Trio." Orbital Radar, 14 September 2026, https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-09-14.@misc{orbitalradar_orbital_briefing_2026_09_14,
title = {SpaceX Marks 700th Falcon Launch with Telecom Trio},
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-09-14}}
}